2RNPJ93 Leicester City fans in the stands before the Sky Bet Championship match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. Picture date: Saturday September 2, 2023.
Five years with Norwich City. Three years with Wolves. Ryan Bennett experienced promotion to the Premier League with both clubs during his career.
Now 34, Bennett was with Cambridge United last season before coming off contract over the summer. The defender spoke with Tribalfootball.com this week about his career, the clubs he played for and the personalities he’s mixed with along the way.
Norwich, Wolves, Leicester… which were best experiences, Ryan – and also your most difficult?
“Wolves was by far my best experience. The timing of me joining there coincided with the investment in the club. You can see with the players brought in how exciting that time was. I never expected to get to the level again where we ended up being and it was amazing time with great staff and players. The club was amazing, and I always say it gave me the most enjoyment I have had playing.
“The most difficult I say would be Leicester as that was a short-term loan in which I went there to allow a younger lad to go on loan and get some experience so I was basically there to train and be cover. I ended up playing some games there and this was made more difficult by the covid era with the loan being extended, me living away and not being able to stay in hotels and get food etc as everything was shut down, so this became a difficult place to live and play.”
Nuno, Brendan Rodgers, Paul Lambert, you played for some great managers who liked the ball on the deck…
“They are all different. Some louder than others some quieter than others. All had a good leadership mind and obviously a great understanding of the game and the tactics they wished to implement. You can also see by how successful they have been that they are very good at their job. Each one added something different to my game and I learnt from them all.”
You were a record breaker at Wolves – becoming the first Englishman since Matt Jarvis in 2012 to score in the Premier League…
“I never actually knew that, obviously it was a great feeling and the game ended up being a cracker! It was a great moment for me as I said I wasn’t expecting to be at that level again and get the chance. So to do that and then score that goal was an amazing feeling.”
What about your teammates? Diogo Jota, Adama Traore, James Maddison. Who would you say stood out?
“As you say they are all great players, again all with different attributes. But I always like to say it’s evident to everyone the footballing qualities they have, but I like to focus more on how they are as people. Everyone you mention is a humble down to earth person with a great attitude towards the game and towards life.
“They are amazing people who work so hard to be the best they can be daily. Adama was a nightmare to train against though, as his pace and power and his aggression made him very difficult to deal with.”
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